Yesha Mae Monsanto, second runner-up of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstar-Teen Category, was doing her assignment at home when she felt the 6.9-magnitude earthquake that struck Cebu on September 30. She immediately thought of her parents. ‘They were sleeping on the second floor when the earthquake happened. I shouted to wake them up,’ the 17-year-old candidate said during an October 4 press conference at Café Moni.
Grand winner of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk-Kids Category, Kiana Michaili Bacaltos, had to be awakened by her grandmother while she was sleeping. ‘I was relaxed when we were evacuating, but deep inside, my heart was beating so fast,’ she recalled.
In what was the strongest earthquake recorded in Cebu and the deadliest in the country since the 2013 Bohol quake, the tremors damaged the northern parts of the province, including Bogo City, which
was the epicenter. Waves of relief goods and donations were delivered, with some of the candidates participating in the efforts.
‘I prayed for the victims, then I sent donations, including food and water,’ said 11-year-old Eiyannah Khryss Yap, second runner-up in the Kids Category. ‘Even small ways of compassion can make a difference.’
‘I was looking for donation campaigns because I was willing to volunteer. I want to help in small ways whenever I can,’ added 14-year-old Shamzy Jopia, winner in the Preteen Category.
For Monsanto, who also volunteered in packing relief goods, the earthquake served as a reminder that resilience remains an important trait amid sudden crises.
‘We should be resilient because we can rise as one,’ she said, clarifying that resilience shouldn’t automatically excuse incompetence in addressing the impacts of natural calamities.
‘I would tell a public official that they are not a common person, but a leader who has a chance to help and be a big person for us. If you were chosen to be a leader, you have a role to ensure Filipinos are safe and united as one, so we can help others,’ she said.
National, international bets
Following their coronation last July, this year’s candidates of Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstars are ready to face off at the Kids and Teens Pageant Global Philippines happening this October 11 in Metro Manila.
Among them are Yap as the Cebu City representative in the Little Miss Global Pageant Philippines; Allynah Ciarrah Zabate as Cebu City South’s delegate; Mary Corazon Gualiza for Cebu City North in the
Miss Preteen Global Pageant Philippines; and Rhean Summer Dela Victoria for Cebu City at Miss Teen Global Pageant Philippines.
Others will compete in international pageants, including Rhonne Angeline Jhayle Daugdaug and Candy Tumakay at the KidStar International Pageant in Thailand from December 1 to 8, while Hnin SoeChe Tun will represent the country in Cambodia from November 12 to 17 for Little Miss Icon Philippines. Jediaelle Rhianne Caritan is set to compete in a 2026 pageant to be held in the Philippines in May.
Other candidates present at the press conference included first runner-up of Teen Star International 2024 Riki Gabrielle Pitogo; Little Miss Heritage Rafaella Carra Cabalda; Laiza Loraine Lungtad, fourth
runner-up in the Cebu Ultimate Catwalk Superstars-Kids Category; and Alexandra Almario, second runner-up in the Preteen Category.
Pitogo recalled her experience in Thailand as both fun and challenging. ‘I got to meet new friends from other countries and know about their culture,’ she shared, advising her fellow candidates
representing Cebu and the Philippines to count on the support of their friends, family, and supporters to boost their confidence.
Many of the candidates consider Pitogo their inspiration in their respective competitions. Caritan said, ‘Ate Rikki is always so kind to us, and she always believes in herself. I want to be like her because
she’s a great role model.’
Caritan also considers her mother as her role model, someone who continues to support her as a young pageant contestant.
Gualiza, 14, echoed a similar sentiment. ‘My mom has taught me to be brave, confident, and to be everything – correcting myself and learning from my mistakes and stepping out of my comfort zone,’ she said.
Almario, 13, cites her grandmother as her role model. ‘She is the person who shaped me into who I am, considering she is the person who took care of me throughout my whole life,’ she said.
For Bacaltos, 11, it’s her fellow candidates whom she considers her sisters. ‘I know our journey is very hard, and we are all young. Being a kid doesn’t mean we are not perfect. They inspire me to be
confident, and that’s enough,’ she said.
‘The sisterhood we built up is so strong. I couldn’t be here without my friends,’ said Tun, 11. ‘We faced a lot of obstacles, and we are always here for each other since we all have the same dreams.’